El Stitch y Bitch is thrilled to share their quilt-form ofrenda. Over the last 4 years, El Stitch y Bitch has created community through the one thing that unites this diverse group: the celebration of Do-It-Yourself culture. As a group mainly consisting of women from many walks of life we keep the tradition of the handmade alive through our regular knitting circle meetings. In our second ofrenda, we have carefully created a quilt out of love and continuity for those who have inspired us to create, work and live.

This Wednesday, July 11 we will have our regular monthly meeting. Since we are in the middle of our Dia de los Muertos project, this will be a working meeting for those who have jumped on thus far. For those who would like to get involved, there is still time! Stop by Wednesday to pick up info and any supplies needed. We will meet at my apt (email stitchy.bitch@yahoo.com for address) at 7:30 and can work well through the night.

If you’re super interested in the Dia de los Muertos project, but are unable to make it this week, shoot us an email and I can share the plan.

We will have a few more working dates this month and will follow up with that asap.

Beginner’s Night is still on for next week. Karla, Laura and Naomi will be holding down the night for all the new crafters that will be joining us. Our meeting will be on Wednesday, June 13 from 7-9pm at Efebina’s: 1640 S Blue Island. You’ll want to look for them in the back room of the cafe. Supplies (knit or crochet) will be available for you beginner’s so no need to worry about that. Just shoot us an email at stitchy.bitch@yahoo.com if you plan on attending :)

In case you haven’t heard the great news, El Stitch y Bitch has been invited to once again create a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda for the 2012 exhibition at the National Museum of Mexican Art. If you’re interested in being a part of this project, the planning meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20th at 7pm at my apt. (email us for address).

October is coming close to an end and with that comes Dia de los Muertos (DDLM). As many of you know, the altar we created last year is happily installed in its current home at the Indianapolis Art Center. The art center is having a DDLM celebration next Saturday, October 29th from noon-5pm. The celebration includes food, music and lots of fun art activities. I will be driving down with my family, and I’d like to extend the invitation to all of you. Depending on how many people are interested, we can carpool or we can just plan to meet at the art center. Please let me know if you are interested in coming and/or if you might be willing to be a driver. I will share more once I know these details. For now you can find more info here: http://www.indplsartcenter.org/dayofthedead2011/celebration.shtml

If you can’t make it next weekend, I hope to see you at our next Stitch y Bitch which will be on Wednesday, November 9th, location is TBD.

The knitters and crocheters of El Stitch y Bitch spent their entire summer stitching away flowers, calaveras, papel picado and more for our beloved Day of the Dead altar at Vida Breve: Day of the Dead 2010 at the National Museum of Mexican Art.

So how did it all go down? We’ve compiled a small slideshow of our yarn adventures. Enjoy!

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p.s. Working on jam packed update! If you would like to be added to our update list, just shoot us a quick email at: stitchy.bitch@yahoo.com